RECENTLY VIEWED: SNOW WHITE

Okay, if you have heard or read the news lately about Disney's Snow White, you will have known about the political problems between the stars and how bad the movie is. I went to see the film with my daughter, and it is not that bad. Disney's Snow White, or simply Snow White, is a 2025 American musical fantasy film directed by Marc Webb and written by Erin Cressida Wilson. Produced by Walt Disney Pictures and Marc Platt Productions, it is a live-action reimagining of Walt Disney's Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. That animated film was based on the 1812 fairy tale "Snow White" by the Brothers Grimm. Starring Rachel Zegler, Andrew Burnap and Gal Gadot, the new film follows the pure-hearted Snow White (Zegler) who joins forces with seven dwarfs and a bandit named Jonathan (Burnap) to free her kingdom from her cruel stepmother (Gadot).

Plans for a remake of 1937's Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs were confirmed in October 2016, with Wilson announced as a screenwriter. Webb entered talks to direct in May 2019 and was announced as director in September 2019. Filming took place primarily in London from March to July 2022, with additional filming and pick-ups in June 2024. With an estimated production budget of $240–270 million, Snow White is one of the most expensive films ever made and Disney's fifteenth-most expensive. Before release, controversies arose about the film related to its color-blind casting, story changes, Zegler's public critiques of the original film, Zegler and Gadot's conflicting political views, and the reimagining of the Seven Dwarfs.

Politics aside, it was a pretty good film. The music was spot on, and I was surprised by Gail Gadot singing. The only weak part for me weas how the cruel stepmother was defeated at the end. My daughter is a huge Disney fan, and we have been going to all the remakes. This movie does not compare to 2017's Beauty And The Beast or 2021's Cruella, but it is definitely better than 2019's Dumbo and 2023's Little Mermaid. Don't listen to critics and check out this movie for yourself. I think you will be pleasantly surprised.

MY RATING: 8 OUT OF 10

RECENTLY VIEWED: JUSTICE LEAGUE

I recently took my kids to see the new Justice League movie. The critics and some fans are complaining about the movie, and the film isn't doing as well at the box office, but I've got to say I can see why. The movie was filmed with one director, and then another had to take over, and it shows. The movie good have been great but was only ok.

It is the fifth installment in the DC Extended Universe (DCEU). The film is directed by Zack Snyder, with a screenplay by Chris Terrio and Joss Whedon, from a story by Terrio and Snyder. It features an ensemble cast that includes Ben Affleck, Henry Cavill, Amy Adams, Gal Gadot, Ezra Miller, Jason Momoa, Ray Fisher, Jeremy Irons, Diane Lane, Connie Nielsen, and J. K. Simmons. In Justice League, the titular superhero team forms to honor Superman following his death and to save the planet from the catastrophic threat of Steppenwolf and his army of Parademons.

The film was announced in October 2014 with Snyder on board to direct and Terrio attached to write the script. Initially announced as Justice League Part One, with a second part to follow in 2019, the second film was indefinitely delayed to accommodate a standalone Batman film with Affleck. Principal photography commenced in April 2016 and ended in October 2016. Snyder then hired Joss Whedon to write scenes that would be filmed during reshoots; however, Snyder left the project in May 2017 following the death of his daughter. Whedon was hired to oversee the remainder of post-production, including directing additional scenes written by himself. Snyder received sole director credit for the film, with Whedon receiving a screenplay credit.

With an estimated production budget of $300 million, it is one of the most expensive films ever made. Justice League premiered in Beijing on October 26, 2017, and was released in the United States in 2D, 3D, and IMAX on November 17, 2017. It has grossed over $481 million worldwide.

I don't want to give too much of the plot details away, but you can read them anywhere on the internet. However, the best part of the movie was Gal Gadot's Wonder Woman. I can not say enough good things about Wonder Woman, and she is easily the best character in the DC Universe. Also they did well with showing new characters like The Flash and Cyborg. If I had to pick out a complaint it would be the villain in Steppenwolf. He looked like a reject from an old Power Rangers movie. I would have rather seen a movie with a Batman villain or some bad guy I was familiar with. Other than that it is a really good film. Also, listen for the original Batman and Superman themes from the earlier movies of the 1970s and 1980s for some cool nostalgia. The movie could have been better though. Sadly, it wasn't...

MY RATING: 6 OUT OF 10